U.S. patent application number 17/099063 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-13 for electric toothbrush.
The applicant listed for this patent is Braun GmbH. Invention is credited to Thomas FRITSCH, Irina NEUSSER, Joern UTSCH.
Application Number | 20210137661 17/099063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005355317 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210137661 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FRITSCH; Thomas ; et
al. |
May 13, 2021 |
ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
Abstract
An electric toothbrush, including a refill connectable to a
handle via a coupling device. The handle has a drive mechanism, and
the refill has a brush head and a motion transmitter functionally
connected to the brush head for driving it. The handle has a
coupling stem terminating with a free end and including a coupling
pin extending from the stem. The refill includes a generally
tubular portion formed by refill walls defining an interior space
for accepting the coupling stem of the handle. The coupling device
comprises a pair of mutually opposite and resiliently deformable
cantilevered arms disposed adjacent to the refill walls in the
interior space of the refill. Each of the cantilevered arms
terminates with a coupling surface for engaging the stem's coupling
pin for secure and disengageable connection between the handle and
the refill.
Inventors: |
FRITSCH; Thomas; (EPPSTEIN,
DE) ; NEUSSER; Irina; (Kronberg, DE) ; UTSCH;
Joern; (ESCHBORN, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Braun GmbH |
Kronberg |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005355317 |
Appl. No.: |
17/099063 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16016207 |
Jun 22, 2018 |
10869743 |
|
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17099063 |
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62525660 |
Jun 27, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/222 20130101;
A61C 17/3436 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61C 17/22 20060101
A61C017/22; A61C 17/34 20060101 A61C017/34 |
Claims
1. An electric toothbrush comprising a handle and a refill having a
longitudinal axis and structured and configured to be attached to
the handle via a coupling device, the handle having a drive
mechanism and the refill having a brush head and a motion
transmitter functionally connected to the brush head for driving
the brush head, wherein the handle comprises a coupling stem having
outer walls extending in a direction substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis and terminating with a free end, the coupling
stem further having a coupling pin extending therefrom in a
direction not parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the refill
includes a generally tubular portion formed by refill walls
defining therebetween an interior space structured and configured
to accept therein the coupling stem of the handle when the refill
is being attached to the handle, wherein the coupling device
comprises a pair of mutually opposite cantilevered arms disposed
adjacent to the refill walls in the interior space of the refill,
wherein each of the cantilevered arms extends in a circular or
semicircular direction around the longitudinal axis and in a plane
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein
each of the cantilevered arms is resiliently deformable and
terminates with a coupling surface structured and configured to
engage the coupling pin of the coupling stem for secure and
disengageable connection therewith.
2. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the coupling pin
extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis.
3. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the coupling stem of
the handle comprises a rib protruding from the stem and adjacent to
the pin, the rib having a lower end, an upper end opposite to the
lower end, and a rib length between the lower and upper ends, the
rib being lengthwise oriented substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis.
4. The electric toothbrush of claim 3, wherein the pin is disposed
intermediate the lower end and the upper end of the rib.
5. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the pair of mutually
opposite cantilevered arms terminating with coupling surfaces
comprises a first cantilever arm terminating with a first coupling
surface and a second cantilevered arm terminating with a second
coupling surface opposite to and facing the first coupling surface,
and wherein the first and second coupling surfaces are structured
and configured to simultaneously embrace the coupling pin at
opposite sides thereof when the refill is being attached to the
handle.
6. The electric toothbrush of claim 5, wherein the first coupling
surface and the second coupling surface are structured and
configured to slidably and resiliently engage the coupling pin when
the refill is being attached to the handle by being axially moved
along the longitudinal axis.
7. The electric toothbrush of claim 6, wherein each of the first
and second coupling surfaces comprises a slide portion and a clamp
portion adjacent to the slide portion.
8. The electric toothbrush of claim 7, wherein each of the slide
portions includes a chamfer.
9. The electric toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the slide portion of
each of the first and second coupling surfaces is substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis.
10. The electric toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the slide portion
of each of the first and second coupling surfaces is angled
relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein an included angle
formed between the slide portions is from about 0.1 degree to about
20 degrees.
11. The electric toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the clamp portion
of each of the first and second coupling surfaces is structured and
configured to abut a side surface of the coupling pin such that
substantially an entire surface of the clamp portion is in contact
with the side surface of the coupling pin.
12. The electric toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the coupling pin
is substantially cylindrical and the clamp portion of each of the
first and second coupling surfaces is substantially circular, and
wherein a diameter of the pin is substantially equal to an
equivalent diameter of the clamp portion.
13. The electric toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the diameter of
the pin is from about 0.8 mm to about 6 mm.
14. The electric toothbrush of claim 13, wherein an average
distance between the mutually opposite slide portions of the first
and second coupling surfaces is from about 0.4 mm to about 5 mm
when the refill is disengaged from the handle.
15. The electric toothbrush of claim 3, wherein the refill
comprises a groove structured and configured to engage the upper
end of the rib of the coupling stem thereby restricting axial
movement of the refill relative to the handle when the refill is
being axially attached to the handle.
16. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the refill includes
a coupling insert having a front segment comprising an upper
section, a lower section, and a middle section between the upper
and lower sections, wherein the lower section is separated from the
middle section by a first space and the middle section is separated
from the upper section by a second space, wherein the lower section
is adjacent to the handle when the refill is attached thereto,
wherein the middle section comprises the pair of mutually opposite
cantilevered arms, and wherein the upper section comprises a groove
structured and configured to engage an upper end of a rib
longitudinally extending from the coupling stem of the handle
thereby restricting axial movement of the refill relative to the
handle when the refill is being axially attached to the handle.
17. The electric toothbrush of claim 16, wherein the mutually
opposite cantilevered arms are structured and configured to
resiliently move relative to the lower section and the upper
section of the coupling insert.
18. The electric toothbrush of claim 17, wherein a resilient
movement of the cantilevered arms relative to the lower section and
the upper section of the coupling insert includes a movement
selected from the group consisting of a radial-bending movement, an
axial-bending movement, a torsion-twisting movement, and any
combination thereof.
19. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the outer walls of
the coupling stem and the refill walls form, in combination, a
plurality of press-fit segments wherein opposite faces frictionally
engage one another when the refill is attached to the handle.
20. The electric toothbrush of claim 19, wherein the press-fit
portions are provided in a first press-fit area adjacent to the
free end of the coupling stem and in a second press-fit area
adjacent to an end opposite to the free end of the coupling stem,
each of the first and second press-fit areas including a plurality
of press-fit segments.
21. The electric toothbrush of claim 16, wherein the coupling
insert comprises at least one tolerance-compensation spring
outwardly extending in a general direction of the longitudinal
axis, wherein the tolerance-compensation spring has a free end and
is structured and configured so that when the refill is attached to
the handle, at least a portion of the tolerance-compensation spring
adjacent to its free end resiliently biases the coupling insert
against the coupling stem, thereby providing a frictional press-fit
contact therebetween.
22. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the motion
transmitter of the refill terminates with a first coupling element,
and the drive mechanism of the handle terminates with a second
coupling element, and wherein the first coupling element and the
second coupling element are structured and configured to form an
operative connection therebetween when the refill is attached to
the handle.
23. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the first coupling
element comprises a first magnetic element, and the second coupling
element comprises a second magnetic coupling element, and wherein
the first magnetic coupling element and the second magnetic
coupling element are structured and configured to form a magnetic
connection therebetween when the refill is attached to the
handle.
24. The electric toothbrush of claim 23, wherein at least one of
the first magnetic coupling element and the second magnetic
coupling element is selected from the group consisting of a
permanent magnet and a magnetizable element.
25. The electric toothbrush of claim 23, wherein the drive
mechanism is structured and configured for linear oscillatory
movement substantially along the longitudinal axis.
26. The electric toothbrush of claim 23, wherein the brush head is
structured and configured for a rotational oscillatory motion
around an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis.
27. The electric toothbrush of claim 23, wherein the brush head is
structured and configured for a lateral oscillatory motion around
an axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
Ser. No. 62/525,657, filed on Jun. 27, 2017, which provisional
application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to an electric
toothbrush, and more particularly to a coupling arrangement between
the toothbrush's handle and an attachment part, or refill, wherein
the refill having a functional brush head is connected to a
toothbrush handle comprising a drive shaft for driving the brush
head.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electric toothbrushes generally have removable and
exchangeable attachment brushes, also known as "refills," so that a
common handle can be used by multiple family members, each family
member having a separate personal refill. Also, when the brush head
is worn out and/or otherwise needs to be replaced, only a
refill--as opposed to the entire electric toothbrush including the
handle--needs to be replaced.
[0004] During brushing, various forces must be transmitted by the
coupling between the refill and the handle during operation of the
brush. These forces include in particular the cleaning forces,
drive forces, axial forces, and radial forces, which act on the
refill and/or the handle. The coupling of the refill to the handle
is generally achieved in such a way that the radial forces are
absorbed or dissipated in the handle, while the axial forces are
absorbed or dissipated in the drive shaft. For this purpose, the
tubular connecting piece of the refill is generally pushed onto the
coupling stem, or neck, of the toothbrush, and the drive shaft,
provided in the brush tube of the refill, is coupled to the drive
shaft that protrudes from the end of the handle's coupling
stem.
[0005] An example of such a system is described in EP 0500537 B1,
according to which the handle neck, and, in a correspondingly
complementary fashion, the tubular connecting piece, are provided
with a cross-section that deviates from a circular shape to enable
radial forces to be better absorbed. In order to enable
transmission of the axial forces, the drive shaft in the brush tube
can be pushed onto the drive shaft on the handle and secured there
by a latching connection.
[0006] WO 00/76420A1 proposes that the axial fixing and also the
fixing against rotation be achieved at the handle neck. For these
purposes, saw-tooth-shaped rubber lips are provided in the tubular
connecting piece of the attachment brush, which lips can be pushed
onto the handle neck, the shape of which deviates from a circular
shape. In addition, latching tongues are provided on the tubular
connecting piece that can be pushed over the outer circumferential
surface of the handle neck and can be latched there; this is
intended to achieve additional securing against a pulling off in
the axial direction. However, the additional axial securing
achieved by this latching device is limited due to the outer
circumference of the handle neck becoming dirty, for example with
toothpaste residue and the like. In addition, the neck of the
toothbrush is sometimes grasped with the fingers, which can cause
unintentional disengagement due to external pressure on the
latching connection.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,836,917 proposes an electric toothbrush that
has an L-shaped groove on the neck of the toothbrush, into which a
pin provided on the push-on connecting piece of the attachment
brush moves, such that the attachment brush can be secured by
pushing it on and rotating it, in the style of a bayonet coupling.
In addition, provision is made for an engaging of the drive shafts.
However, radial forces can cause unintentional disengagement of the
bayonet coupling if these forces are applied in the correct (so to
speak) direction of rotation relative to the handle, thus making
additional securing measures necessary.
[0008] DE 10209320A1 discloses an electric toothbrush in which only
a toothbrush head can be exchangeably latched to the handle; i.e.,
the toothbrush head does not have a drive shaft for driving same.
Instead, a drive shaft on the handle must be threaded into the
toothbrush head, which can sometimes pose problems and requires a
particular drive movement of the drive shaft.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 8,671,492 discloses an attachment part for an
electric toothbrush wherein the connecting piece has at least one
interior latching element arranged to move into the interior of the
neck of the handle and to create a disengageable connection of the
attachment part to the neck of the handle. The interior latching
element is radially inwardly offset, with regard to the diameter
thereof, relative to an internal cylindrical surface of the
connecting piece. A gap between the exterior of the interior
latching element and the internal cylindrical surface allows a wall
of the neck of the handle to be moved into it.
[0010] US 2014/0130274A1 discloses a structure for coupling the
refill head to a toothbrush handle that ensures proper alignment
and simplifies the loading and unloading of the refill head to the
handle. In one embodiment, the refill head comprises a tubular
sleeve forming a cavity and first and second upper cam surfaces
that form shoulders within the cavity. The first and second upper
cam surfaces are separated by first and second axial slots of
different configurations that prevent loading of the refill head
onto the oral care implement handle in an improper rotational
orientation through interaction with first and second bosses on the
oral care implement handle.
[0011] US 2014/0341636A1 (EP2913026A1) discloses a refill head
(100), and oral care implement incorporating the same, wherein the
refill head (100) can be uncoupled from a stem (220) of a handle
(200) by withdrawing the refill head (100) from the stem of a
handle (200) along the longitudinal axis of the oral care
implement, which results in locking members (134) on the refill
head (100) disengaging from an engagement rib (230) on the stem
(220). The locking members (134) and engagement rib (230) may be
aligned with or angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the
oral care implement. A portion of the stem may be visible through a
portion of the refill head to reinforce the proper connection
between the refill head and the handle.
[0012] Other references disclosing various techniques for and ways
of coupling the refill to the handle of an electric toothbrush
include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,934; DE2527130A1; DE2633848A1; U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,952,855; 3,400,417; and 9,237,943.
[0013] The present disclosure provides a further improved electric
toothbrush, an improved refill, an improved handle; and an improved
handle-refill coupling mechanism for such an electric toothbrush,
wherein an easy-to-operate coupling is formed between the refill
and the handle that holds the refill firmly and with as little play
as possible on the handle, and still permits an easy coupling,
including engagement and disengagement, between the handle and the
refill.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to an electric
toothbrush having a longitudinal direction or axis and comprising a
handle and a refill structured and configured to be attached to the
handle via a coupling device. The handle has a drive mechanism, and
the refill has a brush head and a motion transmitter functionally
connected to the brush head for driving the brush head. The handle
further comprises a coupling stem having outer walls extending in a
direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and terminating with a
free end; and the coupling stem has a coupling pin extending
therefrom in a direction not parallel to the longitudinal axis. The
refill has a generally tubular portion formed by refill walls
defining an interior space, which is structured and configured to
accept therein the coupling stem of the handle when the refill is
attached to the handle. The coupling device comprises a pair of
mutually opposite cantilevered arms disposed in the interior space
of the refill and adjacent to the refill walls, each of the arms
terminating with a coupling surface structured and configured to
engage the coupling pin for secure and disengageable connection
therewith.
[0015] In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a refill
for an electric toothbrush having a longitudinal axis. The refill,
structured and configured to be attached to a handle of the
electrical toothbrush, has a movable brush head and comprises a
generally tubular structure formed by refill walls defining an
interior space that is structured and configured to accept therein
a coupling stem of the handle. The refill includes a motion
transmitter functionally connected to the brush head for driving
the brush head. The refill includes a coupling device comprising a
pair of mutually opposite cantilevered arms disposed in the
interior space of the refill and adjacent to the refill walls, each
of the arms terminating with a coupling surface structured and
configured to engage a coupling pin extending from the coupling
stem of the handle for secure and disengageable connection
therewith.
[0016] In still another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a
coupling mechanism for an electric toothbrush having a longitudinal
axis and comprising a handle and a replaceable refill. The coupling
mechanism comprises a handle coupling portion and a refill coupling
portion that are structured and configured to engage one another,
thereby providing a secure connection between the handle and the
refill. The handle coupling portion comprises a coupling stem
disposed at one end of the handle in the longitudinal axis and a
pin protruding from the stem in a direction not parallel to the
longitudinal axis, the coupling stem having outer walls terminating
at a free end thereof. The refill coupling portion comprises a
generally tubular structure having refill walls and an interior
space therebetween structured and configured to receive therein the
coupling stem of the handle coupling portion, and a pair of
mutually opposite cantilevered arms disposed in the interior space,
each of the arms terminating with a coupling surface structured and
configured to engage the coupling pin of the handle coupling
portion for secure and disengageable connection therewith.
[0017] In one embodiment, the coupling pin extends in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and/or a
direction substantially perpendicular to the outer walls of the
coupling stem. The coupling stem may beneficially include a rib
oriented in the longitudinal axis and having a first (lower) end
and a second (upper) end opposite to the first end. The rib can be
disposed adjacent to the pin. In one embodiment, the pin is
disposed between or intermediate the first end and the second end
of the rib. The refill may comprise a groove structured and
configured to engage the upper end of the rib of the coupling stem,
to restrict axial movement of the refill relative to the handle
when the refill is being axially attached to the handle.
[0018] Each of the two mutually opposite cantilevered arms
terminates with a coupling surface. More specifically, a first
cantilevered arm terminates with a first coupling surface and a
second cantilevered arm terminates with a second coupling surface.
The first coupling surface is opposite to and faces the first
coupling surface. The first and second coupling surfaces are
structured and configured to simultaneously embrace the coupling
pin at opposite sides thereof when the refill is attached to the
handle. Each of the coupling surfaces comprises a slide portion and
a clamp portion adjacent to the slide portion. A distance between
the mutually opposite slide portions of the first and second
coupling surfaces can be from about 0.4 mm to about 5 mm, from
about 0.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, from about 0.6 mm to about 3 mm, and
specifically from about 1 mm to about 2 mm. The pin's diameter (or
an equivalent dimension orthogonal to the slide portions if the pin
is not cylindrical) can be from about 0.8 mm to about 6 mm, from
about 1 mm to about 5 mm, and from about 2 mm to about 4 mm. The
pin may have a cross-section of any suitable shape, including,
e.g., a shape comprising round, oval, rectangular, trapezoidal,
rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and any other suitable
polygonal shape or any portion thereof.
[0019] The coupling surfaces are structured and configured to
slidably and resiliently engage the coupling pin when the refill is
being axially attached to the handle, i.e., when the refill is
being axially moved relative to the handle and the pin arranged
thereon. During attachment, the mutually opposite slide portions of
the coupling surfaces slide downwardly in resilient contact with
the pin. When the pin reaches the clamp portion, the pin is pulled
into a snap fit with the coupling surfaces inside the clamp
portion. To facilitate the pin's entry into the space between the
two coupling surfaces, each of the slide portions may include a
chamfer.
[0020] The slide portions of the first and second coupling surfaces
can be arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis
(and hence parallel to one another). Alternatively, at least one of
slide portions can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis. An
included angle between the slide portions can be from about 0.1
degree to about 20 degrees, from about 1 degree to about 15
degrees, from about 1.5 degrees to about 10 degrees, and
specifically from about 2 degrees to about 3 degrees. In one
embodiment, each of the slide portions are symmetrically angled
relative to the longitudinal axis such that the space between the
mutually opposite slide surfaces increases upwardly, i.e., from the
chamfers to the clamp portion. Such a configuration facilitates
pulling of the pin into the clamp portion of the coupling surfaces,
due to the resilience of the cantilevered arms and associated
pressure of the coupling surfaces acting on the pin as the pin
slides along the slide surfaces.
[0021] As the refill is being attached to the handle, a space or
clearance existing between the two mutually opposite coupling
surfaces of the cantilevered arms resiliently expands--as the pin
slides along the opposite slide portions of the coupling surfaces.
When this happens, the elastic (or resilient) deformation or
movement of the cantilevered arms may include a radial-bending
elastic deformation, i.e., a resilient movement of the arms away
from the toothbrush's longitudinal axis; an axial-bending elastic
deformation, i.e., a resilient movement of the arms along the
toothbrush's longitudinal axis; a torsion-twisting elastic
deformation, i.e., a resilient torque movement of the cantilevered
arm wherein the coupling surface rotates relative to the arm's
portion adjacent to its "hinge" or "root" (from which the arm
extends); and any combination thereof.
[0022] Because of repeated attachments of the refill to and
dis-attachments of the refill from the handle, there is an
inevitable wear at the interface of the pin and coupling surfaces,
particularly in an environment containing abrasive material such as
toothpaste slurry. It is therefore beneficial to have the pin
(which is part of the handle) made of a material having a hard
surface, such, e.g., as steel, ceramics, reinforced plastic, as
well as hard-surface-coated materials. The coupling surfaces (which
are part of the refill) can be made of plastic. Such an arrangement
beneficially meets the requirements of functionality over
respective expected lifetimes of the handle and the refill.
[0023] The pin may have any suitable shape, e.g., cylindrical or
prismatic, although the cylindrical shape is preferred.
Correspondingly, the clamp portions of the coupling surfaces can
also be profiled to have a circular or semi-circular shape, wherein
a diameter of the pin is substantially equal to an equivalent
diameter of the clamp portion. In such an arrangement, the entire
surface of the clamp portion is in contact with the side surface of
the coupling pin. In one exemplary embodiment, the clamp portion of
each of the first and second coupling surfaces is structured and
configured to abut a side surface of the coupling pin such that
substantially an entire surface of the clamp portion is in contact
with the side surface of the coupling pin. In other words, the
respective surfaces of the pin and the clamp portions can be
structured and configured such that virtually the entire clamp
portion of each of the coupling surfaces (or its major portion,
that is more than about 50% of the relevant surface) is in contact
with the corresponding surface of the pin. In another embodiment,
the pin may be cylindrical, but the coupling surface may be
non-cylindrical, e.g., oval or polygonal. In the latter instance,
the contact surfaces of the clamp portion will only partially abut
the cylindrical pin. The coupling surfaces, including the clamp
surfaces, can be configured to influence and/or control the
insertion and extraction forces needed to be applied when the
refill is being attached to the handle.
[0024] The refill, and the coupling mechanism, can be structured to
comprise a coupling insert disposed inside the tubular portion of
the refill and fit-pressed thereto. The insert has a front portion
comprising an upper section, a lower section, and a middle section
between the upper and lower sections, wherein the lower section is
separated from the middle section by a first semi-circular space
and the middle section is separated from the upper section by a
second semi-circular space. The lower section may comprise an
annular flange extending in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis and comprising an inner perimeter and an
outer perimeter. When the refill is attached to the handle, the
annular flange can be positioned adjacent to the handle. The inner
perimeter of the flange may beneficially include a recess
structured and configured to provide a space for the rib of the
coupling stem when the refill is being attached to the handle.
[0025] The middle section comprises the pair of mutually opposite
cantilevered arms, previously described. The cantilevered arms are
positioned such that they can resiliently move, as previously
described, relative to the lower section and the upper section. The
upper section may include the groove, previously described, for
engaging the upper end of the rib longitudinally extending from the
coupling stem, to restrict axial movement of the refill relative to
the handle when the refill is being axially attached to the
handle.
[0026] In one embodiment, the outer walls of the coupling stem and
the refill walls form, in combination, a plurality of press-fit
segments wherein opposite faces thereof frictionally engage one
another when the refill is attached to the handle. The press-fit
areas can be provided at any suitable location, e.g., adjacent to
the free end of the coupling stem and/or adjacent to an end
opposite to the free end of the coupling stem. Each of the
press-fit areas can have at least two press-fit segments, i.e.,
points of frictional contact. In one embodiment, the plurality of
press-fit segments comprises three press-fit adjacent to the free
end of the coupling stem and at least three press-fit segments
adjacent to the end opposite to the free end of the coupling
stem.
[0027] In one embodiment, the coupling insert comprises at least
one tolerance-compensation spring extending upright in a general
direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and
having a free end. The tolerance-compensation spring can be
structured and configured so that when the refill is attached to
the handle, at least a portion of the tolerance-compensation spring
adjacent to its free end resiliently biases the insert against the
surface of the coupling stem, thereby providing a frictional
connection therebetween.
[0028] In a further embodiment, each of the cantilevered arms may
comprise a curved portion and a vertical fin integrally formed with
the curved portion, wherein the fin includes the coupling surface,
previously described. The curved portion has a curvature length
measured in a circumferential direction, a curvature height
measured in a direction generally perpendicular to the curvature
length, and a curvature thickness measured in a direction generally
perpendicular to the curvature height. In one embodiment, the
curvature length is greater than the curvature height and the
curvature height is greater than the curvature thickness. In one
embodiment, the vertical fin has a fin height that is greater than
the curvature height. The curvature length can be from about 4 mm
to about 10 mm, from about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm, and from about 5
mm to about 8 mm. The curvature height can be from about 2 mm to
about 8 mm, from about 2.5 mm to about 6.5 mm, and from about 3 to
about 5 mm. The curvature thickness can be from about 0.5 mm to
about 2 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 1.8 mm, and from about 0.9
mm to about 1.6 mm. The fin height can be from about 3 mm to about
12 mm, from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, and from about 6 mm to about
9 mm.
[0029] In one embodiment of the toothbrush and the refill, the
refill may have a motion transmitter that terminates with a first
magnetic coupling element, while the drive mechanism of the handle
terminates with a second magnetic coupling element. Then, the first
magnetic coupling element and the second magnetic coupling element
can be structured and configured to form a secure magnetic
connection therebetween when the refill is attached to the handle,
so that the movement of the handle's drive mechanism is transmitted
to the refill's motion transmitter. Such magnetic coupling elements
may include permanent magnet or magnets and/or a magnetizable
element or elements.
[0030] The drive mechanism of the handle can be designed for a
linear oscillatory movement substantially along the longitudinal
axis A, while the brush head can be designed for a rotational
oscillatory motion around a rotation axis extending substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. Alternatively or
additionally, the brush head can be designed to move in a lateral
oscillatory motion around an axis extending substantially parallel
to the longitudinal axis A, or any other type of movement, such as,
e.g., a linear oscillatory movement, a vibratory action, and/or
other movement patterns, as is known in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are schematic and
illustrative in nature, and not intended to limit the invention
defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the
illustrative embodiments can be better understood when read in
conjunction with the following drawings, in which like structures
are indicated with like reference numerals.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of
an electric toothbrush.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic axonometric view of a refill of the
toothbrush shown on FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic axonometric view of a handle of the
toothbrush shown on FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of a
coupling device of the disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of a
coupling device shown in FIG. 4.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic axonometric view of a coupling insert
shown as part of the coupling device in FIG. 4.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a fragment of a
toothbrush including the coupling device of the disclosure, showing
a motion transmitter with a magnetic element for connecting the
motion transmitter to a corresponding magnetic element of the
handle.
[0039] FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic front view of an embodiment
of the coupling insert shown in FIG. 6.
[0040] FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view, taken along
lines 8A-8A, of the coupling insert shown in FIG. 8.
[0041] FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic front view of an embodiment
of a coupling device shown in FIG. 4.
[0042] FIG. 9A is an enlarged fragmental view of another embodiment
of a coupling device.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of
the coupling device, showing press-fit segments for connecting the
stem to the handle.
[0044] FIG. 11 is another schematic axonometric view of an
embodiment of the coupling device, showing press-fit segments for
connecting the stem to the handle.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a refill,
without its outer shell, and a portion of a handle, showing a
motion transmitter and magnetic coupling elements.
[0046] FIG. 13 is a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of
a coupling insert having a tolerance-compensation spring.
[0047] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an
embodiment of a coupling device, including the coupling insert
having a tolerance-compensation spring resiliently abutting the
coupling stem of a handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] As is shown in FIGS. 1-3, an electric toothbrush 10 of the
disclosure comprises a handle 20 and a refill 30 having a
longitudinal axis or longitudinal direction A. In the embodiment of
FIG. 1 the longitudinal axis A of the refill 30 coincides with that
of the handle 20, but one skilled in the art will appreciate that
in some embodiments (not shown here) the refill can be designed to
be slightly angled relative to the handle, in which instances the
longitudinal axis of the refill may not coincide with or be
parallel to the that of the handle. Such an angled embodiment is
included in the scope of the invention.
[0049] The refill 30 is structured and configured to be attached to
the handle 20 via a coupling device 100, FIGS. 4-7. The handle 20
has a drive mechanism (not shown) inside, and the refill 30 has a
brush head 31 and a motion transmitter 300 (FIG. 7) functionally
connected to the brush head 31 for driving the brush head 31. The
handle 20 further comprises a coupling stem 200 having outer walls
210 extending in the longitudinal axis A and terminating with a
free end 220. The coupling stem 200 has a coupling pin 230
extending therefrom in a direction not parallel to the longitudinal
axis A. Preferably, the coupling pin 230 extends from the coupling
wall 210 at an approximately right angle, or substantially
perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis A.
[0050] The coupling stem 200 may beneficially include a coupling
rib 240 outwardly (or radially) protruding from the stem 200 and
longitudinally oriented in a direction generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis A. The rib 240 has a first (lower in the figures)
end 241 and a second (upper) end 242 opposite to the first end 241.
The rib 240 can be disposed adjacent to the pin 230. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the coupling pin 230 is disposed
between or intermediate the first end 241 and the second end 242 of
the rib 240. The rib 240 and the coupling pin 230 may be
constructed to outwardly protrude from the stem 200 to the same
extent, i.e., an outmost outer surface of the rib 240 can be flush
with an outmost outer surface (free end) of the coupling pin 230.
Alternatively, the coupling pin 230 can protrude from the coupling
stem 200 to a greater extent that the rib 240 does, in which
instance a portion of the coupling pin 230 extends beyond the
outmost outer surface of the rib 240 (FIGS. 4, 5).
[0051] The refill 30 may comprise a groove 128 structured and
configured to engage the second end 242 of the rib 240, to restrict
a movement (axial and/or radial) of the refill 30 relative to the
handle 20 when the refill 30 is being axially attached to the
handle 20. The groove 128 can be beneficially sized and shaped to
match the size and shape of the second end 242 of the rib 240. In
an embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the second end 242 of the rib 240
is shown to have a convex, generally semi-circular shape; and the
grove 128 is shown to have a corresponding concave, generally
semi-circular shape. Other mutually corresponding shapes of the rib
240 and the groove 128 are contemplated by the disclosure. Also,
the second end 242 of the rib 240 can have other suitable
configurations, which may or may not have to transition in a
tangential manner.
[0052] The refill 30 has a generally tubular portion 33 formed by
refill walls 34. The tubular portion 33 can have any suitable
shape, including, e.g., a generally cylindrical shape, a generally
conical shape, or any combination thereof. As used herein, the
terms "generally cylindrical" and "generally conical" describe
shapes strictly cylindrical and conical and those deviating from
strictly cylindrical and conical shapes. Examples of such
"generally cylindrical" and "generally conical" tubular portion 33
include, without limitation, the tubular portion 33 having a
cross-sectional shape deviating from circular by being elongated in
one direction, e.g., elliptical, oval, and the like. The tubular
portion can have other suitable shapes as well, e.g., polygonal,
rectangular, and so on--or a combination of generally
cylindrical/conical and polygonal shapes. Inside the tubular
portion 33, there is an interior space, defined by the refill's
walls 34 and structured and configured to accept therein the
coupling stem 200 of the handle 20 when the refill 30 is attached
to the handle 20. The coupling device 100 comprises a pair of
mutually opposite cantilevered arms 150 disposed in the interior
space of the refill 30 and adjacent to the refill walls 34, and
more specifically adjacent to the interior surfaces of the refill
walls 34. The cantilevered arms 150 are curved and can be described
as generally circular or semi-circular, which means that a
cross-sectional shape of the arms 150, taken in a plane
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, can
comprise portions that are circular or can comprise portions that
deviate from an ideal circular shape--similarly to the deviation of
the previously described generally cylindrical and generally
conical tubular portion 33, i.e., by being elongated in one
direction, to comprise, e.g., a portion of an elliptical, oval, and
the like shape.
[0053] A pair of the curved cantilevered arms 150 comprises a first
arm 150a and a second arm 150b opposite to the first arm 150a. Each
of the cantilevered arms 150 has its fixed end (or "root") 151
(151a, 151b) and terminates with a free end 152 (152a, 152b). The
free end 152 includes a coupling surface 153 (153a, 153b)
structured and configured to engage the coupling pin 230 of the
coupling stem 200 for secure and disengageable connection
therewith. In a coupling mechanism of the disclosure, the coupling
pin 230 forms a handle coupling portion, and the coupling device
100 forms a refill coupling portion. As can be seen in FIGS. 8, 9,
and 9A, the cantilevered arms 150 extend from the root 151 in a
generally circular or semi-circular manner and in a plane
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. In other
words, the cantilevered arms 150 curve around the longitudinal axis
A in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis A. In the
embodiment shown, the roots 151, the cantilever arms 150, and the
coupling surfaces 153 (and the coupling pin 230 when the refill 30
is properly attached to the handle) are disposed in a general plane
that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
[0054] A first cantilevered arm 150a terminates with a first
coupling surface 153a, and a second cantilevered arm 150b
terminates with a second coupling surface 153b. The first coupling
surface 153a is opposite to and faces the second coupling surface
153b. The first and second coupling surfaces 153a, 153b are
structured and configured to simultaneously embrace the coupling
pin 230 at its opposite sides when the refill 30 is being attached
to the handle 20.
[0055] Each of the first and second coupling surfaces 153a, 153b
comprises a slide portion 154 (154a, 154b) and a clamp portion 155
(155a, 155b) adjacent to the slide portion 154. A distance between
mutually opposite a first slide portion 154a and a second slide
portion 154b, of the first and second coupling surfaces 153a, 153b,
respectively, can be from about 0.4 mm to about 5 mm, from about
0.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, and from about 0.6 mm to about 3 mm. In one
particular embodiment, the distance between the two mutually
opposite first slide portion 154a and second slide portion 154b is
between about 1 mm and about 2 mm. This distance can be measured as
an average of a maximal distance D1 and a minimal distance D2, as
is shown in FIG. 8, when the refill 30, having the coupling device
100 therein, is not attached to the handle 20, i.e., when the
coupling device 100 is not experiencing elastic deformation, as
described herein.
[0056] In embodiments in which the coupling pin 230 is generally
cylindrical, a diameter of the pin 230 (or an equivalent dimension
orthogonal to the slide portions if the pin is not cylindrical) can
be from about 0.8 mm to about 6 mm, from about 1 mm to about 5 mm,
and from about 2 mm to about 4 mm. The mutually opposite clamp
portions 155a, 155b of the coupling surfaces 153a, 153b,
respectively, can beneficially match, in shape and size, the outer
surface of the coupling pin 230.
[0057] The coupling surfaces 153 are structured and configured to
slidably--and resiliently by virtue of resiliency of the cantilever
arms 150--engage the coupling pin 230 when the refill 30 is being
axially attached to the handle 20, i.e., when the refill 30 is
being axially moved relative to the handle 20 and the coupling stem
200 having the coupling pin 230 arranged thereon. During the axial
attachment, the coupling pin 230 contacts the mutually opposite
slide portions 154 of the coupling surfaces 153 at the pin's
opposite sides as the pin 230 slides upwardly, in a resilient
contact with the slide portions 154. When the pin 230 reaches the
clamp portion 155, the pin 230 is pulled into a snap fit with the
clamp portions 155a, 155b. To conveniently position the pin 230
relative to the mutually opposite coupling surfaces 153 and to
facilitate the pin's entry into the space between the two coupling
surfaces 153, each of the slide portions 154 may include a chamfer
156. An angle .alpha.2 formed between a surface of the chamfer 156
and the slide portion 154 can be, e.g., from about 100 degrees and
170 degrees, from about 110 degrees and about 160 degrees, and from
about 120 to about 150 degrees.
[0058] At least one of the slide portions 154 can be angled
relative to the longitudinal axis A. In the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 4 and 8, both slide portions 154 are symmetrically angled
relative to the longitudinal axis A such that the space between the
mutually opposite slide surfaces 154 increases upwardly, i.e., the
space between the first slide portion 154a and the second slide
portion 154b increases in the direction from the chamfers 156 to
the clamp portion 155. Such a configuration facilitates pulling of
the pin 230 into the clamp portion 155 of the coupling surfaces
153, due to the resilience of the cantilevered arms 150 and an
associated pressure of the coupling surfaces 153 acting on the
coupling pin 230 as the pin 230 slides along the slide portions 154
towards the clamp portion 155. An included angle .alpha.1 formed
between the two opposite slide portions 154a, 154b of the
cantilevered arms 150 can be from about 0.1 degree to about 20
degrees, from about 1 degrees to about 15 degrees, and from about
1.5 degrees to about 10 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the
angle .alpha.1 is from about 2 degrees to about 3 degrees. In
another embodiment, the slide portions 154 of the first and second
coupling surfaces 153 can be arranged substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis A, and hence substantially parallel to one
another, FIG. 9 (showing a distance D3 between the two slide
portions 154a, 154b).
[0059] An alternative embodiment (not shown), in which the slide
portions 154 are oppositely angled relative to the longitudinal
axis A, wherein the space between the two slide surfaces 154a, 154b
decreases upwardly, i.e., the space between the first slide portion
154a and the second slide portion 154b decreases in the direction
from the chamfers 156 to the clamp portion 155, is also
contemplated in the present invention.
[0060] When the refill 30 is being attached to the handle, a space
or clearance existing between the two mutually opposite coupling
surfaces 153 of the cantilevered arms 150 resiliently expands--as
the coupling pin 230 slides along the opposite slide portions 154
of the coupling surfaces 153. When this happens, the elastic (or
resilient) deformation or movement of the cantilevered arms 150 may
include a radial-bending elastic deformation, i.e., a resilient
movement of the arms 150 away from the toothbrush's longitudinal
axis A; an axial-bending elastic deformation, i.e., a resilient
movement of the arms 150 along the toothbrush's longitudinal axis
A; a torsion-twisting elastic deformation, i.e., a resilient torque
movement of the cantilevered arm 150 wherein the coupling surface
153 rotates relative to the arm's fixed end or "root" (from which
the arm 150 extends); and any combination thereof.
[0061] Because of repeated attachments and dis-attachments of the
refill 30 to and from the handle 20, there is an inevitable wear at
the interface of the coupling pin 230 and the coupling surfaces
153, particularly in an environment likely containing abrasive
material such as toothpaste slurry. It is therefore beneficial to
have the coupling pin 230 (which is part of the handle 20) made of
steel or other hard-surface, wear-resilient materials (e.g., steel,
ceramics, surface-reinforced plastic, and various suitable
surface-coated materials), and the coupling surfaces 153 (which are
part of the refill 30) made of plastic. Such an arrangement
beneficially meets the requirements of functionality and the
respective expected longevities of the handle 20 and the refill
30.
[0062] The clamp portion 155 of each of the first and second
coupling surfaces 153 can be structured and configured to abut a
side surface of the coupling pin 230 such that substantially an
entire surface of the clamp portion 155 is in contact with the side
surface of the coupling pin 230 when the refill 30 is attached to
the handle 20. In other words, the respective surfaces of the pin
230 and the clamp portions 155 can be sized and shaped such that
virtually the entire clamp portion 155 of each of the first and
second coupling surfaces 153a, 153b is in contact with the
corresponding surface of the pin 230, to provide a secure
engagement between the handle 20 and the refill 30 when the refill
30 is attached to the handle 20.
[0063] The pin 230 may have any suitable shape, e.g., cylindrical,
prismatic, conical, and others, although the cylindrical or conical
shape may be preferred. Correspondingly, the clamp portions 155 of
the coupling surfaces 153 can also be profiled to have a circular
or semi-circular shape, wherein a diameter of the pin 230 is
substantially equal to an equivalent diameter of the clamp portion
155. In such an arrangement, the entire surface of the clamp
portion 155 will be in contact with the side surface of the
coupling pin 230, as is described above. Since the two mutually
opposite coupling surfaces 153, contacting the coupling pin 230,
may have a space therebetween and thus may not comprise a perfect
circle, the term "equivalent diameter," as used herein, refers to
an imaginary or theoretical diameter of that the clamp portions 155
based on radii of their respective curvatures.
[0064] The refill 30, and the coupling mechanism 100, can be
structured to comprise a coupling insert 110 disposed inside the
tubular portion 33 of the refill 30 and fit-pressed thereto, e.g.,
by utilizing a plurality of press-fit segments 111. One exemplary
embodiment of such press-fit segments, comprising protrusions 111
from the insert's outer surface, is schematically shown in FIG. 6.
In a further embodiment, the protrusions 111 can have corresponding
segments, e.g., corresponding depressions (not shown) disposed on
the inner side of the tubular portion 33 of the refill 30. The
press-fit segments can be distributed equidistantly, e.g., at 60
degrees, from one another around the interface perimeter between
the tubular portion 33 and the insert 110.
[0065] As is best shown in FIGS. 9 and 8A, the insert 110 can have
a front segment 120 comprising a lower section 121, an upper
section 123, and a middle section 122 intermediate the lower
section 121 and the upper section 123. The lower section 121 is
separated from the middle section 122 by a first semi-circular
space 124, and the middle section 122 is separated from the upper
section 123 by a second semi-circular space 125. As used herein,
the front segment 120 of the insert 110 is the insert's
semi-circular portion that includes both cantilevered arms 150a,
150b in their entirety, from the first end 151a of the first arm
150a to the first end 151b of the second arm 150b. In plan view of
FIG. 8A, the front segment 120 is outlined by an included angle
.alpha.3, formed in a plan-view of the insert 110 between two
planes PA and PB parallel to a longitudinal axis A, which angle can
be from about 70 degrees to about 200 degrees, from about 80
degrees to about 190 degrees, and from about 90 degrees to about
180 degrees.
[0066] The lower section 121 of the coupling insert 110 may
comprise an annular flange 126 extending in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and
comprising an inner perimeter 126a and an outer perimeter 126b.
When the refill 30, having the coupling insert 110 incorporated
therein, is securely attached to the handle 20, the annular flange
126 can be positioned adjacent to the handle 20, FIG. 4. The flange
126 may beneficially include, adjacent to its inner perimeter 126a,
a recess 127 sized and shaped to provide a space for the rib 240
and the pin 230 of the coupling stem 200 when the refill 30 is
being axially attached to the handle 20.
[0067] The middle section 122 includes the pair of mutually
opposite cantilevered arms 150, previously described. The
cantilevered arms 150 are positioned such that they can resiliently
move, as previously described, relative to the lower section 121
and the upper section 123 of the coupling insert 110. The upper
section 123 may include the groove 128, previously described, for
engaging the upper end 242 of the rib 240 outwardly projecting and
longitudinally extending from the coupling stem 200, to restrict
radial and/or axial movement of the refill 30 relative to the
handle 20 when the refill 30 is being axially attached to the
handle 20.
[0068] To ensure a secure connection between the refill 30 and the
handle 20, the outer walls 210 of the coupling stem 200 and the
refill walls can be constructed to form, in combination, a
plurality of press-fit segments 250 wherein respective opposite
faces of the outer walls 210 and the refill walls frictionally
engage one another when the refill 30 is attached to the handle 20.
Press-fit segments 250, frictionally uniting the refill 30 and the
stem 200, can be provided at any suitable location, e.g., adjacent
to the free end 220 of the coupling stem 200 and/or adjacent to an
end opposite to the free end 220 of the coupling stem 200. As is
shown in FIG. 10, e.g., the plurality of press-fit segments 250 may
comprise at least three (upper) press-fit segments 251, 252, 253
adjacent to the free end 220 of the coupling stem 200. The
plurality of press-fit segments 250 may further include at least
three (lower) press-fit segments 254, 255, 256 adjacent to the end
opposite to the free end 220 of the coupling stem 200. The (lower)
press-fit segments 254, 255, 256 can beneficially comprise portions
of the inner perimeter 126a of the flange 126 of the coupling
insert's lower section 121, as is best shown in FIG. 11.
[0069] In another embodiment, schematically shown in FIGS. 13 and
14, the coupling insert 110 comprises a tolerance-compensation
spring 170 extending upright in a general direction substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The tolerance-compensation
spring 170 can be beneficially formed (e.g., molded) is an integral
part of the coupling insert. The tolerance-compensation spring 170
has a free end and an inner surface 171. The tolerance-compensation
spring 170 is structured and configured so that when the refill 30
is attached to the handle 20, at least an upper portion of the
tolerance-compensation spring's inner surface 171 (that is, the
inner surface's portion adjacent to the free end of the
tolerance-compensation spring 170) resiliently abuts the adjacent
surface of the coupling stem 200, thereby providing a frictional
fit-press connection therebetween. Although a single
tolerance-compensation spring 170 is illustrated herein,
embodiments comprising two or more tolerance-compensation springs
of this or a similar construction are contemplated by this
disclosure.
[0070] In a further embodiment, each of the cantilevered arms 150
may comprise a curved portion 160 and a fin 160a, 160b integrally
formed with the curved portion 160 (FIG. 9). The fin can be
generally vertically oriented. The fin includes the coupling
surface 153, previously described. The curved portion 160 has a
curvature length L measured in a circumferential direction, a
curvature height H measured at the highest (tallest) portion of the
curved portion 160 in a direction generally perpendicular to the
curvature length L, and a curvature thickness W measured in a
direction generally perpendicular to the curvature height H,
wherein the curvature length is greater than the curvature height H
and the curvature height H is greater than the curvature thickness
W. Given a certain plastic material of the cantilevered arms 150,
e.g., polyoxymethylene (POM) or reinforced POM, having beneficial
physical properties, these dimensions L, W, and H, can be carefully
chosen to facilitate the elastic deformation of the cantilevered
arms 150. As previously described, such deformation may include at
least one of a radial-bending elastic deformation, i.e., an outward
resilient "unbending" movement of the arms 150 away from the
longitudinal axis A; an axial-bending elastic deformation, i.e., a
resilient movement of the arms 150 substantially along the
longitudinal axis A (i.e., up-and-down movement); a
torsion-twisting elastic deformation, i.e., a resilient torque
movement of the cantilevered arms 150 wherein the coupling surface
153 rotates relative to the arm's fixed end (or "root") 151, from
which the arm 150 extends; and any combination thereof.
[0071] The vertical fin 160a, 160b has a fin height H1. As is shown
in several Figures, the fin height H1 can (but does not have to) be
greater than the curvature height H. In one exemplary non-limiting
embodiment, the curvature length can be from about 4 mm to about 10
mm, from about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm, and from about 5 mm to about 8
mm. The curvature height can be from about 2 mm to about 8 mm, from
about 2.5 mm to about 6.5 mm, and from about 3 to about 5 mm. The
curvature thickness can be from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, from
about 0.7 mm to about 1.8 mm, and from about 0.9 mm to about 1.6
mm. The fin height can be from about 3 mm to about 12 mm, from
about 5 mm to about 10 mm, and from about 6 mm to about 9 mm.
[0072] The refill 30 may include a motion transmitter 300 therein.
In one embodiment, the motion transmitter 300 terminates with a
first magnetic coupling element 310, while a drive mechanism of the
handle 20 terminates with a second magnetic coupling element 410,
FIG. 7. Then, the first magnetic coupling element 310 and the
second magnetic coupling element 410 can be structured and
configured to form a secure magnetic connection therebetween when
the refill 30 is attached to the handle 20, so that the movement of
the handle's drive mechanism is effectively transmitted to the
refill's motion transmitter 300. Such magnetic coupling elements
may include permanent magnet or magnets and/or a magnetizable
element or elements, as is described in the commonly assigned U.S.
Pat. No. 8,631,532, the disclosure of which incorporated herein by
reference.
[0073] The drive mechanism of the handle 20 can be structured and
configured for a linear oscillatory movement substantially along
the longitudinal axis A, while the brush head 31 can be structured
and configured for a rotational oscillatory motion around a
rotation axis X extending substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis A, a lateral oscillatory motion around an axis
extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A, or any
other type of movement, including a linear oscillatory movement, or
vibratory action, and other movement patterns, as is known in the
art.
[0074] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, various other changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Moreover, although various aspects of the invention have been
described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination.
It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such
changes and modifications that are within the scope of the
invention.
[0075] The terms "substantially," "essentially," "about,"
"approximately," and the like, as may be used herein, represent the
inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any
quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other
representation, as one skilled in the art will readily appreciate.
These terms also represent the degree by which a quantitative
representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting
in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
Further, the dimensions and values disclosed herein, whether or not
preceded by the terms "substantially," "essentially," "about,"
"approximately," and the like, are not to be understood as being
strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,
unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean
both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, values disclosed as "5 mm" and
"70 degrees" are intended to mean "about 5 mm" and "about 70
degrees" respectively.
[0076] The disclosure of every document cited herein, including any
cross-referenced or related patent or application and any patent
application or patent to which this application claims priority or
benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The
citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art
with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein--or that
it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or
references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such invention.
Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in
this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same
or similar term in a document incorporated herein by reference, the
meaning or definition assigned to or contextually implied by that
term in this document shall govern.
* * * * *